What Are Sail & Power Squadrons?

United States Power Squadrons

Established in 1914, The United States Power Squadrons (USPS) is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable. This is accomplished by offering, to the public, educational courses in seamanship, piloting, navigation and other boating-related subjects. The USPS is composed of 33 districts which are further divided into 400 individual squadrons. Presently there are approximately 40,000 members making it the world�s largest civilian boating organization. The USPS has been honored by three United States presidents for its civic contributions.

Beaufort Sail and Power Squadron

The Beaufort Sail and Power Squadron (BSPS) is a fraternal boating organization chartered in 1961 in Beaufort, South Carolina. The squadron recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. BSPS is in district 26 of the United States Power Squadrons. The town of Beaufort sits on the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) around marker G"239", about midway between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.

BSPS is a local boating club which offers boating-related courses and programs to its members as well as offering a basic boating course and free boat safety inspections to the public. BSPS also collects current information about local waters to assist NOAA in updating official nautical charts. In addition to providing civic services to the surrounding community, Beaufort Sail and Power Squadron members also enjoy social get-togethers throughout the year; these often include cruising the myriad of fascinating and scenic local waterways of the South Carolina low country.

Click here for more information on how to join.